SURREY — General-admission tickets for the 2016 edition of Surrey International Children’s Festival go on sale Tuesday (April 14).
Performers and shows this year include Circus INcognitus, “Love That Dog” (a theatre/puppetry performance from Theatregroep Kwatta), storyteller Michael Kusugak, singer Charlotte Diamond, “The Middle of Everywhere” from the Oregon-based Wonderheads theatre/puppetry company, H’Sao (a music performance from Chad) and theatre/magic show “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”
Headlining acts for 2016 are based in Canada, the Netherlands, Chad and the U.S.
The 12th annual festival will be held from May 26 to 28 at Bear Creek Park and Surrey Arts Centre.
The theme this year is “Come Share Your Stories,” which “encourages children and families to share their stories about the first time they were inspired by an artistic experience,” according to festival organizers.
Tickets can be purchased through the Surrey Arts Centre box office, 604-501-5566, or click here to be directed to the online box office. Details are posted here.
The festival is presented by the City of Surrey. For more details, visit Surrey.ca/childrensfestival.
Meanwhile, organizers of the festival are reaching out to members of Surrey Board of Trade as potential sponsors of the event, as part of its Make a Memory program.
“Since 2011, Make a Memory has provided an incredible festival experience for less advantaged children from the Surrey community,” wrote Karla Pearson, the festival’s sponsorship and marketing assistant, in an emailed appeal. “Sponsors in the community help out by covering the costs associated with tickets so children that otherwise couldn’t attend the festival get to enjoy a magical day of culture, learning and fun.”
Close to 18,000 children and parents are expected to attend the festival this year, Pearson noted.
“For as little as $350, this could be a great tool to promote your business to the Surrey community or just give back because you care. Businesses also have the option to receive a tax receipt in lieu of recognition.”
tom.zillich@thenownewspaper.com